Francis Ouimet

Francis DeSales Ouimet is a golf hall of famer who was born on May 8, 1893, and died on September 3, 1967. He was known to be the first American to be elected into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. He was born to a French-Canadian immigrant father, Louis, and an Irish immigrant mother. He was married to his wife, Stella M. Sullivan, on September 11, 1918, and they have two daughters, named Barbara McLean and Jane Salvi.

When Ouimet was just 20 years old and still an amateur, he managed to win the U.S. Open in 1913 which was held at The Country Club in Massachusetts. The said club was the place he used to work as a caddie, and he won the tournament against Ted Ray and Harry Vardon. The said win was considered a huge upset over the much favored Britons. It also made Ouimet the first amateur to win the U.S. Open.

In addition to making a huge splash as he joined golf, Ouimet also won the U.S. Amateur Championship two times – in 1914 and 1931. He also participated very first eight Walker Cup Teams. He was also awarded the Bob Jones award, which was the highest honor that the United States Golf Association could give.

Over the course of his impressive career, Ouimet has over 10 professional wins, with a notably impressive first win which was his only Major Championship win. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 – around seven years after he passed away.